Written Answers Friday 3 April 2009

Scottish Executive

Air Services

Jamie Hepburn (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to support airlines that operate direct flights to international destinations from Scotland.

Stewart Stevenson: We will continue to promote Scotland as a destination worth serving to airlines, which will improve our connectivity for business and inbound tourism. To assist airlines in their decision-making, we will also share market analysis data on Scotland and on the potential for new routes.

Air Services

Jamie Hepburn (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what benefits it associates with direct flights to international destinations operating from Scotland.

Stewart Stevenson: Direct international air links improve Scotland’s business connections to existing and new markets, attract inward investment and make access to Scotland easier for inbound tourists.

Child Protection

Karen Whitefield (Airdrie and Shotts) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answers to questions S3W-21644, S3W-21645 and S3W-21648 by Adam Ingram on 19 March 2009, for what reasons the Minister for Children and Early Years answered questions about the diary commitments of the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning.

Adam Ingram: I am the lead minister for child protection and therefore answered questions S3W-21644, S3W-21645 and S3W-21648.

Child Protection

Karen Whitefield (Airdrie and Shotts) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-21648 by Adam Ingram on 19 March 2009, on what basis the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning decided to meet each of the local authorities listed.

Karen Whitefield (Airdrie and Shotts) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-21649 by Adam Ingram on 19 March 2009, on what basis it was decided to meet the local authorities listed.

Adam Ingram: These meetings with local authorities were prompted by a range of issues of importance to the Scottish Government and the local authority involved.

Child Protection

Karen Whitefield (Airdrie and Shotts) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-21648 by Adam Ingram on 19 March 2009, what topics were discussed by the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning at each meeting with the listed local authorities.

Adam Ingram: At these meetings, issues of importance to the Scottish Government and the local authority were discussed.

Child Protection

Karen Whitefield (Airdrie and Shotts) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-21648 by Adam Ingram on 19 March 2009, for what reasons the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning considered it necessary to discuss child protection matters with Renfrewshire Council twice in a five-month period.

Adam Ingram: These meetings were in relation to national policy and local best practice.

Child Protection

Karen Whitefield (Airdrie and Shotts) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-21649 by Adam Ingram on 19 March 2009, what topics were discussed by the Minister for Children and Early Years at each meeting with the listed local authorities.

Adam Ingram: At these meetings, issues of importance to the Scottish Government and the local authority were discussed.

Child Protection

Karen Whitefield (Airdrie and Shotts) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-21649 by Adam Ingram on 19 March 2009, which political party provides the leadership in each of the councils with which the Minister for Children and Early Years has had a meeting, excluding those to discuss Pathfinder Projects.

Adam Ingram: Information on the political control of Scottish local authorities is available on COSLA’s website, at:

  http://www.cosla.gov.uk/political_control.asp?leftId=10001AA3F-10766746&rightId=10001AA3F-11002366&hybrid=false.

Fuel Poverty

Patricia Ferguson (Glasgow Maryhill) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-18204 by Stewart Maxwell on 3 December 2008, whether a decision has been made on whether it intends to set regional budgets or a target for the number of houses in each region assisted under the Energy Assistance Package.

Alex Neil: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-21692 on 1 April 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx .

Fuel Poverty

Mary Mulligan (Linlithgow) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many posters have been distributed explaining the Energy Assistance Package.

Mary Mulligan (Linlithgow) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many application forms have been distributed explaining the Energy Assistance Package.

Alex Neil: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-22176 on 1 April 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx .

Housing

Sarah Boyack (Edinburgh Central) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has considered amending houses in multiple occupation legislation to include short-term holiday lets.

Alex Neil: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-22158 on 30 March 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx .

Immigration

Johann Lamont (Glasgow Pollok) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how it plans to allocate resources from the Migration Impact Fund.

Michael Russell: The Scottish Government will receive £2.973 million in Barnett consequentials as a result of the creation of the Migration Impacts Fund in England. How this money will be spent will be determined by Scottish ministers in due course in light of the government’s overarching priorities.

Information Technology

Jeremy Purvis (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what databases are owned and managed by it and its agencies.

John Swinney: There are 260 databases listed in our records as developed and supported by the Scottish Government Information Technology division.

  This total does not include databases operated by agencies as no central record is kept by the Scottish Government of these. Details of these databases are maintained by the agencies themselves.

  The 260 databases referred to are:

  

 Additional Aid Top Up (AA)


 Adults with Incapacity Publications 


 Adults with Incapacity Regulations Consultation Database 


 Advance Information Indexing Database 


 Advance Information Reading Database 


 Agricultural Biological Research Group research management (ABRG)


 Agricultural Census


 Agricultural Staff Database


 Anaytical Services Division Housing Stats Contacts


 Animal Health and Welfare Contacts (AHW)


 Animal Welfare Contacts


 Animal Welfare Monitoring and Benchmarking System 


 Article 4 / Conservation System 


 ASN Tribunal Database 


 Assessment is for Learning database 


 Audit Working Papers & Management Information System 


 Baseline Study of Corporate Services 


 Bicycle Users Group Discussion Forum 


 Bill Tracking System


 Bills Information System 


 Biomass Support Scheme 


 Budget Centre Manager Details System 


 Building Standards -Certification Register 


 Business Directory


 Business Directory and Integration Hub 


 Business Planning Tool - Corporate 


 Business Planning Tool (Corporate)


 Cabinet Actions Tracking 


 Cabinet Correspondence System 


 Cabinet Sub-Committee on Legislation Papers System 


 CAFM (Computer Aided Facilities Management)


 CAPM Appeals


 CAPM Appeals SFP 


 Care Standards Branch Database 


 Case Management Administration System (CMAS) - Forecasting Model 


 Case Management Administration System (CMAS) 


 CCS Business Planning Tool 


 Central Scanning Unit


 Centre for Change and Innovation migration to Scottish Executive Internet Publishing System (SEIPS2)


 Centre of Expertise (Risk Assessment Tool for Project Management)


 Change and Corporate Services Contacts Database 


 Chief Scientist Office (CSO) Monitoring Database 


 Chief Scientist Office - CSO application for maintenance and enhancements


 Child Protection Contacts Database (MS Access) 


 Childcare Services Information System 


 Children Missing from Education System (CME) 


 Children’s Panel Advisory Committee Database 


 Children’s Panel Database 


 Coast Protection Act 


 Community Right to Buy website


 Compel (Recruitment System)


 Consultations Development 


 Contacts Databases 


 Corporate Honours System 


 Council of Economic Advisers SharePoint site 


 Courier (Tracks use of couriers)


 Courts Group Conferences 


 Crofting Buildings Grants and Loans Register 


 Cultural Policy System 


 Death of Looked After Children database 


 Deeds Recording System {Trunk Roads} 


 Delegated Purchasing Authority Application 


 DevNet (Development Network) Virtual Centre


 Directorate of Planning & Environmental Appeals - Case Handling System 


 Directorate of Planning & Environmental Appeals - Online System


 Disqualified from Working with Children List (DWCL) visualfiles 


 Drawing Office GIS (DOGIS)


 Drinking Water Quality Reporting System


 EASEBUY user request form 


 Education Analytical Services Contacts Database 


 E-HR (Human Resources)


 Electronic Committee Liaison Office System eCLO


 Energy Consents system for SE website 


 Energy Crop Scheme (ECS)


 eProcurement Scotland iBANK 


 Equality Impact Assessment System (Internet) 


 Equality Impact Assessment System 


 Equality Unit Contacts database 


 eRDM (Electronic Records and Document Management)


 eRDM (Electronic Records and Document Management) ScotsLite


 eRFC (Request For Change)


 eSourcing Database 


 Estates Management Administration


 ETLLD Contacts 


 EU Archive Database


 EU Implementation and Infractions 


 EU Transpositions and Infractions Database 


 European Structural Funds - Data Capture System (DCS) 


 European Structural Funds - Grant Maintenance 2 system (ESFGM2) 


 European Structural Funds - Postcode Database 


 European Structural Funds Leader + database 


 Field Information System/Field maintenance requests 


 Finance (F-DE) File Log System 


 Finance Correspondence Logging System 


 Finance Expenditure Policy (F-AD) Mail Log 


 Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance (FIFG)


 Financial Partnerships Unit (FPU) Projects


 Fisheries Information Network (FIN)


 Fixed Asset Register 


 Flexi Time (Flexible Working Hours System)


 Foreign & Comonwealth Office (FCO) Telegrams System 


 Freedom of Information (FOI) Information Request Tracker 


 Friends of Scotland Database 


 Fruit Inspectors 


 Gemini (Legacy HR System)


 Greencode (Tracks environmental policies)


 Harbour Orders 


 Health - Contacts System 


 Health - Projects Database 


 Health - Weekly Bulletin 


 Health Improvement and Social Marketing External SharePoint site 


 Honours (Tracks Honours recommendations)


 Honours System 


 Horizon (Library System)


 Horticultural Inspectors 


 Housing Casework 


 Housing Improvement & Repair Grants - Database 


 Housing Improvement & Repair Grants - Web 


 Housing Markets and Supply Division Contacts Database 


 HR (Human Recourses) Call Logging


 HR enquiry management system 


 HR post information system 


 ICT (Information and Communication Technology)


 IFISH


 In-Court Advice Monitoring 


 Independent Schools Register 


 Infrastructure Investment Projects Database 


 Inquiry Reporters Unit Planning Appeals Search 


 Integra (Travel & Subsistence Claims)


 ISD Estimating Tool


 IT Projects Database 


 IT Support SAH Training Database 


 Judicial Appointments System 


 Judiciary Records System 


 Justice of the Peace Register 


 Land Management Contract Menu Scheme (LMCMS)


 Land Management Options (LMO)


 Less Favoured Area Support Scheme (LFASS)


 Library Database 


 Loan Pool Database 


 Marketing Database - MARKUS 


 Masterline Finance System 


 Ministerial Transfer Database 


 Ministerial Blogs 


 Ministerial Correspondence System


 Ministerial Engagements


 Ministerial Engagements Database 


 Ministerial Events Database 


 Ministerial Views Database 


 Monitoring and Control Surveillance System for fishing enforcement (MCSS)


 More Choices More Chances SharePoint site 


 National Criminal Justice Board Management Information Project 


 National Cultural Strategy Database 


 National Evaluation Committee - NHS Senior Manager Eveluation System


 National Standards for Healthcare Support Workers - Consultation db 


 NHS Public Appointments 


 NHS Scotland Event External Sharepoint site 


 NPCoE External SharePoint Site 


 Office of the Chief researcher (OCR) Media Planner 


 Online Booking System 


 Online Pay Slips 


 OSAG Invoice Register Database 


 OSPC Wiki Database 


 Parliamentary Question Tracker


 Parliamentary Questions (PQ) Tracker 


 Payroll Reports


 Payroll Reports system 


 PayView (Electronic Payslips)


 Personal Debt Advice: data collection 


 Planning Authorities on Web 


 Planning Casework System 


 Police Drug Testing System 


 Positive Futures Contacts 


 Postal (Tracks postal costs)


 PQ Tracker database - JD Groups 


 Prison Complaints Database 


 Protecting Vulnerable Groups: Vetting and Barring Consultation 


 Protein Crop Premium (PCP)


 Public Service Reform and Efficiency Group Communications Planner 


 Questionnaire Generator 


 Quota Tracking (SQMLS)


 Race Equality (Internet) 


 Race Equality Scheme Assessment Tool 


 RAS Stakeholders Database 


 Register of Buyers and Sellers of fish


 Register of Egg Packing Stations (REPS) 


 Registration of Private Landlords 


 Registry (File Management System)


 Regulatory Review Group SharePoint Site 


 Relocation Advisory Service (RAS) System 


 Relocation Policy Database 


 Rent Office Case Administration System (ROCAS)


 Rent Office Case Administration System (ROCAS) - eRegister 


 Rent Office Case Administration System (ROCAS) Online 


 Request Logging Database 


 Restricted Patients Database 


 Risk Management Authority - Contacts Database 


 Royal Event Contact System 


 Royal Garden Party System 


 Rural Priorities (RP)


 School to School Transfer System (S2S) 


 Schools ASU Evidence Bank 


 Schools Group Communication Planner 


 Scottish Statutory Instruments (SSI) Case Tracking System 


 SCOTS Agenda Information System 


 Scottish Animal Movements System (SAMU)


 Scottish Beef Calf Scheme (SBCS)


 Scottish Broadcasting Commission SharePoint site 


 Scottish Executive Rural Grants System (SERGS)


 Scottish Health Survey - Database 


 Scottish Ministers : Loans To Water Authorities 


 Scottish Neighbourhood Statistics 2006 


 Scottish Neighbourhood Statistics mapping service


 Scottish Ports Database 


 Scottish Procurement Directorate (SPD) Customer Satisfaction 


 Scottish Procurement Directorate (SPD) Delegated Purchasing Authority (DPA) Change of Circumstances Application 


 Scottish Procurement Directorate (SPD) Non Competitive Action (NCA)


 Scottish Procurement Directorate (SPD) Sponsorship Details Database 


 Scottish Statutory Instrument (SSI) Tracking System 


 Scotxed System 


 SCS Contacts database (MS Access) 


 SEAS (Scottish Executive Accounting System)


 Security (Security passes, security breaches & Disclosure Scotland)


 Security Database 


 Seed Merchants Laptop System 


 Ship Management Database (SMD)


 Single Application Form (SAF)


 Single Farm Payment Scheme (SFP)


 Slopping Out Damage Claims System 


 Social Inclusion Partnership (SIP) Database 


 Social Research Project Information Database - CERES 


 Social Work Services Policy divisional communications planner 


 Solicitors File List (OSSE Secretariat) 


 Solicitors GLSS Staff/Training 


 Solicitors Mail Log (OSSE B1) 


 Solicitors Mail Log (OSSE C4) 


 Solicitors Mail Log (OSSE Secretariat) 


 Solicitors OSSE - SEERAD CBGLS - Notices of Grants {Crofting} 


 Solicitors OSSE - SEERAD CBGLS - Title Pouches {Crofting} 


 SolicitorsOSSE - SPS Securities Pouches {Crofting} 


 Staff & Asset tracker 


 Staff restaurants Requests Database 


 Statistical Products


 Statistical Products System 


 Statutory Instruments (SI) Styling Database (OSSE) 


 Suspensions Database 


 Templates (Tracks SG letter templates)


 Title Deeds (OSSE) 


 Tracking System for Secondees 


 TRACS (Time Recording and Control System) 


 Training Database 


 Training Database 


 Transport Works Consents Case Tracking System 


 TSG Request Form 


 UK Cross Checks for fishing


 Victoria Quay Car Park Booking System 


 Vodafone Billing (mobile phones and Blackberrys)


 Vodafone Mobile Phone Database 


 Whole Farm Review 


 Workforce and Capacity Issues Contacts

Information Technology

Jeremy Purvis (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what the cost was of maintaining the databases owned and managed by it and its agencies in (a) 2007 and (b) 2008.

John Swinney: The databases referred to in the answer to question S3W-21194 on 3 April 2009, are maintained by IT support staff as part of their total workload of supporting all IT systems operated by the Scottish Government (not only databases) as well as users and other support functions such as hardware support and telecommunications.

  We do not maintain records of staff time separately for database-related work.

  All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

Land

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive who owns and is responsible for the (a) off-road cycle track and (b) area of land between the road and the cycle track that runs alongside the A9 from Perth to Inverness.

Stewart Stevenson: The off-road cycle track and the area of land between the A9 and the cycle track are owned by the local landowners but the condition of the cycle track is monitored by SUSTRANS and maintained by the Trunk Road Operating Company, Scotland TranServ, on behalf of Transport Scotland. The local authorities are responsible for litter clearance on the cycle track.

Local Income Tax

Andy Kerr (East Kilbride) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many civil servants have worked on its local income tax proposals since May 1997, also broken down by pay grade.

John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-22180 on 30 March 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx .

Local Income Tax

Andy Kerr (East Kilbride) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it decided what groups of people were to be exempt from the proposed local income tax and, if so, what groups these are.

John Swinney: The government has considered a number of representations on exemptions and will set out its position on exemptions in the legislation we plan to bring forward in the next session of Parliament.

Mobility and Access Committee for Scotland

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-20901 by Stewart Stevenson on 9 March 2009, whether it can confirm that eight meetings of the Mobility and Access Committee for Scotland took place in 2007 and that a move to quarterly meetings in 2009 would mean a reduction in the number of meetings from eight to four compared with the last year in which the committee, in its previous form, was operational.

Stewart Stevenson: In 2007, eight meetings of the main committee of the then Mobility and Access Committee (MACS) took place. The decision to meet more often than the statutory requirement is a matter for the Convener and Members of MACS. The committee consider that meeting four times a year is appropriate, but will keep the matter under review. In addition to the main committee meetings, members are involved in attending meetings with stakeholders, and we anticipate members working around 12 days a year.

Public Sector Staff

Jeremy Purvis (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how it is encouraging the increased use of home and flexi-working in the public sector.

Stewart Stevenson: Policies on flexible and home working are an operational matter for individual organisations. They need to consider a number of issues such as business need as well as HR policy.

  We have taken the approach of promoting flexi and home-working as part of a wider transport policy agenda. I wrote to chief officers of all Scottish public sector organisations in June 2008, requesting a primary point of contact and progress on and plans for promoting more sustainable travel. The letter also publicised the available support and guidance, via www.chooseanotherway.com, to implement more sustainable and active travel practices.

  Through government funding, Regional Transport Partnerships are working with local authorities and NHS boards on Travel Plans. In addition, the Energy Saving Trust provide advice on travel planning.

Public Sector Staff

Jeremy Purvis (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether every public sector body has provided an action plan of measures to increase the use of home and flexi-working.

Stewart Stevenson: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-21185 on 3 April 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx .

  Larger public sector employers such as health boards and local authorities, have either already produced or are developing a travel plan, which can include an assessment of the role of home and flexi working in addressing transport impacts associated with the daily commute, as well as business travel.

  A programme to engage with all public sector organisations is currently being developed based on responses to a questionnaire issued last year. 81% of organisations that completed the questionnaire either have or are developing a travel plan.

Rail Network

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the performance level of Network Rail was in terms of delays for (a) the Glasgow/west of Scotland area and (b) Scotland in each 28 day period in 2008 and in 2009 for which information is available.

Stewart Stevenson: The Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) sets the contractual and financial framework within which Network Rail operates the network, ensuring that the company carries out its activities efficiently and well. This includes monitoring and enforcement of Network Rail’s required outputs, as defined by Scottish Ministers’ High Level Output Specification.

  Performance statistics are published by the ORR. They are issued quarterly, and the details of the latest information available are set out in the following table. The periods available are from year 2007-08 and 2008-09. Each recording year commences in April. The latest figures available are for Quarter 2 in 2008-09.

  The measure used is Public Performance Measurement (PPM) which combines punctuality and reliability of the service in comparison with the advertised timetables.

  

 Performance Period
 PPM %


 2007-8 Q3
 87.3


 2007-8 Q4
 88.7


 2008-9 Q1
 93.6


 2008-9 Q2
 92.8

Rail Network

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether ministers or Transport Scotland officials have raised concerns over delays attributable to poor performance on the part of Network Rail during 2008 or 2009 and, if so, on what dates these were raised and what response was received from Network Rail.

Stewart Stevenson: Ministers met with Network Rail representatives at least every six months. In addition, Transport Scotland officials met frequently with their Network Rail counterparts to progress issues relating to the rail network in Scotland. Ministers met with Network Rail’s Chief Executive on 2 June 2008 and 3 March 2009. Transport Scotland officials met with Network Rail officials on 10 April 2008, 18 August 2008, 11 September 2008, 10 November 2008, 3 December 2008, 25 February 2009 and 5 March 2009. These meetings consider trends in performance, and delays arising from particular problems or incidents. Network Rail responds by explaining its analysis of the causes of delay, and its plans to reduce these delays in future.

  There are also frequent meetings at functional levels to discuss topical issues and handling of specific incidents.

Rail Network

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive to what extent quality targets for punctuality within the rail franchise have been affected by delays attributable to Network Rail in 2008 and in 2009 for which information is available and what action ministers or Transport Scotland officials can take when delays reach an unacceptable level.

Stewart Stevenson: Network Rail operates under a network licence and is accountable to the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) if they do not meet the conditions of its licence and the outputs specified within it. If Network Rail fails to meet their specified outputs the ORR can require Network Rail to take remedial action and may also impose monetary penalties.

  Network Rail is required to take into consideration the reasonable requirements of Scottish ministers as funders and specifier of the Scottish rail network.

Roads

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what monitoring it has carried out to ensure a consistent approach to the gritting of trunk and non-trunk roads.

Stewart Stevenson: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-20210 on 9 February 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx .

Roads

Jamie Hepburn (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what the breakdown is between (a) construction, (b) maintenance and (c) other costs in the contract to build the M80 upgrade between Stepps and Haggs.

Stewart Stevenson: The £321.2 million NPV (net present value) of the whole contract is comprised as follows: (a) construction (including design) - £251.4 million; (b) maintenance (including capital works and operational costs) - £38.1 million, and (c) other costs (including taxation, financing and management costs) - £31.7 million.

Roads

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what effect its proposal to dual the A9 between Perth and Inverness will have on the National Cycle Network.

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether its proposals to dual the A9 between Perth and Inverness includes the cost of reinstating the off-road cycle track following the widening of the road.

Stewart Stevenson: Where any future widening of the A9 between Perth and Inverness to dual carriageway standard has an impact on the National Cycle Network, the affected cycleway will be accommodated as part of the project.

Roads

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive where the proposed 2+1 overtaking lanes at (a) Moy and (b) Carrbridge will begin and end.

Stewart Stevenson: The Moy scheme is located 3.8km south of the dual carriageway section of the A9 at Meall Mhor, to the west of Moy. The Carrbridge scheme will start at a point 2km south of Carrbridge to about 0.5km southwest of the village.

School Meals

Johann Lamont (Glasgow Pollok) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many children will benefit from the extended entitlement to free school meals for pupils whose parents or carers are in receipt of the maximum child and working tax credit.

Adam Ingram: Based on 2007-08 figures, approximately 44,000 additional pupils will benefit from our jointly agreed concordat commitment to extend entitlement to free school lunches to pupils whose parents or carers are in receipt of both maximum Child Tax Credit and maximum Working Tax Credit from August 2009, subject to Parliament’s approval for the necessary regulations.

Transport

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how much will be allocated to the budget for Transport Strategy and Innovation in 2009-10 and what organisations it will support.

Stewart Stevenson: £8.6 million will be allocated to the Transport Strategy and Innovation Budget in 2009-10. As well as supporting the Mobility and Access Committee for Scotland, it will support the Regional Transport Partnerships, Innovative Transport Solutions, and Passengers’ View Scotland.